Cold weapons are a man's romance

The cheers almost toppled the roof of the gymnasium, and even the light stand seemed to tremble slightly due to the explosion-like sound waves.

Roman stood up, pulled off his mask, revealing a sweaty young face, with unabashed pride and joy overflowing from the corners of his eyes and lips.He raised his hands to greet the audience, first waved his hands slightly, then raised his arms straight high and clenched his fists tightly.Following this action symbolizing victory, another wave of even more enthusiastic cheers erupted in the stadium.

He wiped the corners of his eyes, as if he wanted to wipe away the sweat that flowed into his eyes, and also seemed to wipe away the tears that wept with joy.Just as he was about to put his hand down, the referee grabbed his wrist and raised it again—no doubt acknowledging his undisputed victory.

The referee's mouth was moving, as if he was scripting the announced name, but the cheers in the hall were too loud, and his voice was completely drowned out.In the end, he had to cover his ears with a helpless smile on his face.

Roman waved his hand while backing up towards the exit.He stumbled on the non-slip carpet at the edge of the arena, and the cheering crowd roared with laughter, which quickly turned into derisive whistles as he fell into Cesar's arms behind him.

Cesar didn't shy away from other people's eyes, hugged him tightly, and kissed his ears.Roman blushed and turned back to tell him not to make trouble, but he caught Roman's lips.

Everyone is applauding this fairy-tale happy ending.Warriors defeat powerful enemies and win love. Can they expect any better results?

As for the ending of the loser, not many people care about it.At most, those who waited to see his jokes had no lack of malicious ridicule-"Oh, what a pity." There was a more "warm" welcome ceremony waiting for Edward in the background, all from his defeated soldiers.They couldn't wait to return, with interest, the taunts Edward had given them.

At the end of the game, according to the rules, the two opponents had to shake hands no matter how reluctant they were.Roman didn't mind putting on a high profile and shaking hands with Edward. As for Edward's attitude... well, he didn't want to care about it either!

Edward held Roman's hand with an extremely humiliated expression on his face. The latter's ears were red, and he was still blushing and heartbeating because of Cesar's "indecent act" just now.Edward was even more upset when he saw it.

The awards ceremony that followed was hellish.He had to stand with the elated Roman and the arrogant Alex to accept the trophy from the organizer, listen to the chairman of the organizing committee read a lengthy congratulatory speech, squeeze out a bitter smile and take a photo with the other two, bathing in all the The eyes of players, spectators and staff gloating.Even if he was thrown into the hellfire and burned alive, it would be better than what he is now!

After the award ceremony, Edward declined the reporter's invitation to interview and walked into the backstage angrily.Sure enough, the defeated subordinates headed by Wannian's second and third group rushed forward and said with a mocking smile: "Congratulations, Edward, you won the runner-up for the first time in the competition, and you have a bright future!"

Edward glared at Wannian's second and trio. They didn't flinch this time, but stared back bravely.You know, before they didn't dare to make any eye contact with Edward who was in a rage, but now they are so lawless!This shows how desperate he is!

He pushed away the group of defeated subordinates who were clucking like old hens, and came to his corner of the locker room.He took out his bag, and threw the exquisite trophy in with disgust, as if it was a large non-burnable garbage.His defeated generals were still chattering in the distance, taking his defeat as a topic of ridicule.Edward clenched his fists tightly, and his nails pinched deep half-moon-shaped marks on his palms.

He couldn't figure it out, how could he lose?Is the fighting technique he learned not as good as a rookie?Is there any solution to Roman's move at that time?If he didn't use the counter technique at that time, but used other methods, wouldn't he be able to save the day?

Edward kept rehearsing the situation in his mind. If Roman was like this, how should he deal with it, and if Roman was like this, how should he fight back.He quickly found out the technique to break that move, and he couldn't help feeling excited and regretful at the same time.It would be great if there was another match!Give him another chance, and he will definitely turn defeat into victory!At that time, there is no need to enter the sudden death match, no need to compete in wrestling skills, he will be able to make Roman bow his head with overwhelming strength directly in the swordsmanship stage!

How much he wanted to go back to the arena and pick up the sword to fight again!

When this idea appeared in his mind, Edward froze.

What is he thinking?Doesn't he hate swordsmanship the most?Doesn't he despise these childish games the most?That being the case, why is he still eager to return to the game?Why did he think so seriously about ways to crack the enemy's moves?Since when did he take this boring game seriously?

"It's not like this...it shouldn't be like this...I...I obviously hate this...!" Edward looked at his hands and muttered to himself in fear.

"No wonder you treasure it so much. You must like playing with swords very much." The little girl's voice came to my ears.

--no!I hate it to death!

"If one day you get tired of swordsmanship, you must speak up. I won't blame you." The old woman's voice sounded in the back of her mind.

——I have been bored for a long time, and I refrained from talking because of you, not because I like it myself!

Edward hugged his head, which was in pain as if it was about to split, and squatted down in pain, his shoulders trembling uncontrollably.There must be something wrong with him, otherwise, how could he... be reluctant to let go of his swordsmanship?

A gentle but firm hand rested on his shoulder.

Edward jumped up suddenly, only to realize that the noisy and defeated subordinates had dispersed, and apart from him in the locker room, only the old man behind him was left.

"You old man, what are you doing here!" Edward waved away the old man's hand.

The old man held his cane and looked at him cautiously.It was the first time Edward had a face-to-face conversation with the old man since returning to China.At such a close distance, he could clearly count the wrinkles on the old man's face.Seven years have passed, and the old man has become even older.he thinks.

"Are you here to see my joke?" Edward was so furious that he didn't even notice a tear spilled from the corner of his eye.

"Edward..."

"Have you seen enough? Are you satisfied? Can you get out now?! You don't want to get out? Well, I'll get out! This is what you want!"

Edward took off his hazmat suit, shuffled his gear into the bag, then slung the bag over his back, knocked the old man away, and stormed out of the locker room.

He lost completely and had no dignity at all. What's the point of staying here other than embarrassing himself?

"Edward." The old man called from behind him, "You played this game beautifully."

Edward stopped.

"Are you ironic? It's interesting to mock me deliberately?"

"Although you didn't win, you are still very beautiful. You have mastered the things Heine and I taught you, and even learned what we didn't teach you. You have used everything you have mastered. Well, if that's not a pretty fight, what is?"

Edward was shaking with anger. "What's the use of saying this, I still haven't won... I lost to Roman, I lost to Cesar, none of the grand ambitions I made came true, I became everyone's laughing stock, and I made others' careers, You said these flimsy words to comfort me, what is this?!"

"Do you want to win, Edward?"

"nonsense!"

"Then come back."

"...Are you dementia?"

"Come back, and then continue to practice swordsmanship. You still need more training, and you need to constantly exchange skills with others. It is useless to work behind closed doors."

"Do your Spring and Autumn Dream!"

"You actually like swordsmanship, don't you?"

"How many times do I have to tell you to understand that I only learned swordsmanship to please Heini! I don't like this thing at all!"

"Then why," the old man stared at him, "whether Hai Ni was alive or after she passed away, you never let go of your swordsmanship?"

If one day you get tired of swordsmanship, be sure to speak up.I don't blame you.I don't want to force you to do something you don't like.

——But he never said "I hate swordsmanship" once.

Perhaps at first he picked up the sword to please the old woman, but he soon discovered that swordplay was much more interesting than he had imagined at first.

I don't know since when, he has been completely addicted to it.

What "fencing is just a childish game" and "those who fight with swords are children who can't grow up" are just angry words to belittle the favorite things of the old people.

From the very beginning, he just said that just to get angry with the old man...

"Come back, I never forbid you to come back, the door of the house is always open to you, you can come back at any time. Your room has always been reserved, and I have someone clean it every day."

Edward didn't want to hear any more.If he listened a little longer, he might change his mind.

He rushed out with his bag on his back, knocking away everyone who stood in his way.I hope no one notices the dewdrops in the corners of his eyes.

When he was approaching the exit of the gymnasium, he was stopped again.

"Edward!"

This time it was Cesar.

"Now you're here again?!" Edward growled angrily, "Did the old man ask you to persuade me to go back?"

"What?" Cesar was taken aback, "No, Mr. Blackson didn't tell me anything. He persuaded you to go back?" When he said this, the silver-haired young man had infinite expectations on his face.

"I can't go back!" Edward said, "but if it's for you, I'd like to think about it."

Cesar scratched his face in embarrassment: "Uh, I think it's best to tell you clearly now. I already have someone I like, and it's impossible for you and me."

"That kid is not good enough for you."

"...Wake up, are you worthy?"

Edward was speechless.He can't even beat Roman, how dare he say that he is more suitable for Cesar than Roman?

"Cesar, if—I mean if—if there hadn't been a car accident, and you made it to the airport, and I turned around, would it be possible for us?"

"...I don't think it's possible."

"Haven't you ever had the slightest bit of interest in me? You were the one who approached me first, and you wanted to be friends with me first. Could it be that I was the one who was self-indulgent from the beginning to the end?"

"Because I felt very lonely when I first arrived at your house. Mr. Blackson is so fierce. Mrs. Blackson only knows how to learn all day long. No one plays with me. Even the dog dislikes me. What else can I do except hug your thigh tightly? Method."

"Just like that?"

"To be honest, I also felt quite embarrassed when you thought that way about me later. I pretended I didn't know anything, and hoped that you would become mature and meet another mature person. Maybe one day, you will take your Lover, I took mine, and at the wine table, we made fun of this teenage past as if it were a joke made by ignorance. I dream of such a life."

But it's no longer possible.Edward thought bitterly.He had had the chance to live a completely different life: drinking and talking with relatives and friends, and reminiscing about the past.But he ruined it all with his own hands.Now they can't even be friends.

"Don't worry, we won't meet again in the future." He turned and walked into the sunset outside the gymnasium, "Just live the beautiful life of your dreams. I won't bother you."

"Edward, we will grow up one day. We will grow up one day. When you can face me, Roman and Mr. Blackson calmly, you can come back anytime."

"Forget it, I'm not a villain who destroys other people's families."

"What?! You actually want to seduce Roman?!"

Edward smiled resignedly.This guy has a brain problem that never healed from childhood.Only Roman, who is also mentally ill, can stand this guy.

He walked into the twilight, tears streaming down his face.

***

Cesar watched Edward's lonely back gradually go away.He leaned against the door and watched for a while, and when he turned around, he met Roman's eyes.

"...how long have you been here?"

"Probably around the time of 'We gotta grow up someday.'"

Cesar put his hands behind his back like a child who has made a mistake, and twisted towards Roman pleadingly and coquettishly.

"Listen, listen to my explanation. I hope that Edward can reconcile with Mr. Blackson. The two of them are always in a cold war, and my life is not easy. In the past, Edward helped me disperse the firepower. Since he ran away, you have not I know how I got through it. Heine is gone, the old man is so fierce, and the dog hates me..."

"If you push me any harder, I'll start to despise you too."

Cesar didn't dare to push.

"Have you made it clear to him?"

"I tried my best to make it clear. I don't know if he understood clearly."

"If he doesn't, then you tell him again until he understands."

"Of course, of course, I can say it as many times as I want, for you."

"Why did your mouth suddenly become so sweet?"

"It's always been so sweet!"

Cesare cheekily kissed Roman. "Isn't it sweet?"

Roman narrowed his eyes. "Didn't taste it. Try it again."

So they kissed again.

When they parted, they found Alyssa standing behind them holding Enya by the arm.Alisa looked at them with fascination, and at the same time did not forget to cover her daughter's eyes, lest her pure heart be poisoned by some unsuitable sight.

"……when did you come?!"

"Probably at the time of 'I've always been so sweet'. The two of you are really in love with each other to the point of 'no one else'!"